President Jokowi: Million Trees Can Tackle Sedimentation in Dams, Rivers

Local residents plant trees with President Jokowi and spouse in Wonogiri Regency, Saturday (15/2). (Photo: Agung/PR).

Millions trees are needed to tackle sedimentation in Indonesian dams and rivers, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“We need around 50 million or 70 million trees to tackle sedimentation,” President Jokowi said in the Central Java regency of Wonogiri, Saturday (15/2).

“Vetiver plants, such as sengon plant (Latin: paraserianthes falcataria) and fruit plants need at least 3 or 4 years to grow its roots up to 4 meters. Once they grow, the roots can stabilize soils, protecting them against erosion,” the President added.

For that reason, he continued, deforesting upstream area with vetiver plants is essential to prevent sedimentation in downstream area, including dams and rivers.

“This measure will solve the problem of sedimentation,” he said. (EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas